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Arroyo solid vs. D-backs in final tuneup

Allows one run on seven hits over six innings in Reds' victory

3/29/13: Bronson Arroyo gives up only one run over six solid innings in the Reds' win over the D-backs

By Steve Gilbert
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MLB.com |

PHOENIX -- Patrick Corbin and Bronson Arroyo locked up in a pitcher's duel on Friday night as the Reds beat the D-backs, 2-1, at Chase Field.

The two teams will conclude their Spring Training schedules against each other on Saturday afternoon at Chase Field.

Corbin continued to make a strong case to win the No. 5 spot in the D-backs rotation, allowing just two hits over six scoreless innings. The left-hander walked two and fanned seven while lowing his spring ERA to 2.81.

The D-backs are slated to decide between Corbin and Randall Delgado following Saturday's game, in which Delgado will follow starter Wade Miley to the mound.

Arroyo was nearly as sharp as he scattered seven hits and allowed one run in his six innings.

"I was just trying to throw strikes, get my pitch count up and keep from getting hit," Arroyo said. "We did that."

The D-backs got on the board in the fifth when Jason Kubel led off with a home run to right. The homer was a good sign for Kubel, who has been slumping for much of the spring and recently has been playing in Minor League games to increase his at-bat total.

The Reds tied the score at 1-1 in the seventh when Henry Rodriguez pinch-hit for Arroyo and singled home Felix Perez, who had singled to start the inning off Brad Ziegler.

Perez led off the ninth for the Reds with a triple and scored on Emmanuel Burriss' groundout for the winning run.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman entered the game with one out in the bottom of the seventh and retired both batters he faced, including a strikeout.

Up next for the Reds: The Reds will conclude their spring season with split-squad games on Saturday afternoon. Most of the Major League roster, including Joey Votto, Jay Bruce and Shin-Soo Choo, are expected to play five innings in the 3:40 p.m. ET game vs. the D-backs at Chase Field. Homer Bailey will get the start and be followed by Jonathan Broxton and Manny Parra. At 3 p.m. ET at Goodyear Ballpark, the Reds take on the Indians. The Reds have yet to name a starting pitcher for that game.

Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com.
Follow him on Twitter @SteveGilbertMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.